Your pension plan is a defined benefit (DB) pension plan whose primary purpose is to provide you with a regular and secure monthly pension income after your retirement for the remainder of your lifetime. In certain circumstances, the pension fund may also provide benefits in the event of your disability or death of the member.
The pension plan operates like the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) in that your pension is determined by a formula that does not consider the amount of contributions remitted on your behalf. The monthly pension you will receive from this pension plan is in addition to any assistance from CPP or Old Age Security (OAS).
Your pension is determined by your number of hours in covered employment work. The Plan provides active members with a fixed amount of monthly pension for every 1,000 earned hours of work. The fixed amount is reviewed periodically by the Board of Trustees and may be increased in the future depending on a number of factors including the Plan’s financial position. Effective January 1, 2026, the benefit rate for active members was established as $90.00 of monthly pension for every 1,000 earned hours of work.
All of the employer contributions remitted to the pension fund, along with all of the investment earnings generated from the pension fund's investments, are used to cover the cost of all expenses and pay for all the pension benefits payable to members, their spouses and their beneficiaries.
The video below provides an overview of how the DB pension plan works, including how your pension is calculated and the key features of your plan.
To help you better understand how your pension can be paid at retirement, the video below explains the different pension forms available under the plan and what each option may mean for you, your spouse or common-law spouse, and your beneficiaries (as applicable).
Find the form you are looking for in the list provided here and follow the instructions on each to submit them.
Book an appointment with a Pension Analyst for information about your pension benefit and for assistance in completing your pension application.
Participation in the pension fund is automatic if you work under a Local 1985 collective agreement, but you must complete the Registration Form to complete the registration process. To become eligible to receive a benefit, in most cases, you must work at least 350 hours in each of two consecutive years.
The pension fund provides an annual statement to members advising if they are eligible to receive a pension and the monthly pension amount earned to date.
The amount of employer contributions remitted on your behalf does not affect your eligibility or pension benefit. What matters is the number of hours you worked under a Local 1985 collective agreement.
You can find the amount of pension you have earned to date on the annual pension statement mailed to you.
To request a copy or your annual statement, please contact us.
Through the Member Portal, you can:
